Ram Bagh

The Rambagh Gardens in Agra has the distinction of being one of the first Mughal pleasure gardens in India. Laid out by Babur, the first Mughal Emperor, the Rambagh Gardens are located 3 km away from the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah and 500 meters away from the Chini ka Rauza. The Persian influence can be well discerned in the layout of the garden that was designed in such a way as to resemble paradise (in Islam the garden is considered to be a representation of Paradise).

Also known as the Bagh-i-Gul Afshan, the garden is laid out in the charbagh pattern with four main divisions made by paths and waterways. A number of fountains, channels and waterways adorn the magnificent Rambagh Gardens, which draws its water from the Yamuna River. Noor Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, made a number of additions to the Rambagh Gardens gardens, which have survived till date. Another interesting feature of this garden is that Emperor Babur was supposed to have been buried here for a brief while before being entombed in his mausoleum in Kabul.

Dayal Bagh

15 kms. from Agra, Dayal Bagh (Soamibagh) houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami faith, 'Swamiji Maharaj'. The main structure is a majestic building, 110 feet in height, built of pure white marble. The belief here is that construction work should never end, making it into a living monument, hence it is under construction for almost 100 years. One can find pietra dura inlaid marble work actually being worked on. Dayal Bagh can be reached by bus or cycle.

Octagonal Tower, Agra

Shah Jahan built octagonal tower or Musamman Burj inside the Agra fort for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was here that Shah Jahan spent last seven years of his life imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The tower is considered to provide one of the best views of the Taj. This exquisitely carved tower is close to the Diwan-i- Khas. But today the pollution has reduced the visibility and the tower is in bad shape. The two-storied Musamman Burz or the Octagonal Tower, adjoining the Dewan-i-Khas was specially built and decked with jewels by Shahjahan for the use of his wife Begum Mumtaj. The mosaic and the latticework of the ornamented Burz are of extraordinary beauty. The Khas Mahal, the Emperor's lounge and bedchamber are on the south and quite close to it is the rather small white marble Nagina Masjid with three round domes on its top, meant to be used by the ladies of the Mughal harem. Machchhi Bhawan, the aquarium is on the southeast of Nagina Masjid. There is also a Hindu Temple here.